Embracing Environmental Sustainability in the 6G Era
A Call to Action: Embracing Environmental Sustainability in the 6G Era
As consumer expectations and economic trends evolve, the development of next-generation wireless technologies is being shaped by an increased focus on environmental sustainability. The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, with extreme weather events in the U.S. last year alone causing $92 billion in damages. Energy costs are already a major expense for the telecommunications industry and are projected to rise as digitalization continues. Younger consumers, in particular, are showing a willingness to pay up to 10% more for sustainable “green” telecom products.
The industry is prioritizing sustainability and has developed a science-based plan to achieve Net Zero emissions. The plan aims to cut emissions by 45% within this decade and to reach Net Zero throughout the value chain by 2050 at the latest.
As efforts to combat climate change intensify, the Next G Alliance Green G Working Group is positioning North America as a global leader in environmental sustainability by defining a clear path toward a sustainable 6G ecosystem. This initiative is crucial for the telecom industry to achieve its Net Zero goals and for the decarbonization of key industries.
This blog explores the pivotal role that environmental sustainability plays in shaping the trajectory of 6G technology. It delves into innovative strategies and key performance indicators (KPIs) that are driving the industry toward a greener future and highlights the profound positive impact our collective actions can have on the planet.
Catalyst to Drive Change: Transitioning from Sustainability-Aware to Sustainability-Native
Incorporating environmental sustainability principles into 6G design and operation is essential for the telecom industry to achieve Net Zero emissions. While reaching Net Zero is the primary objective, sustainability KPIs provide a means to benchmark the effectiveness of strategies and technologies in creating sustainability-native 6G systems.
At the heart of these efforts is a commitment to leveraging Environmental Sustainability KPIs that encapsulate the principles of enhanced observability, circular economy, and empowered choice across the value chain. These KPIs guide us toward a path where every decision and innovation is infused with an awareness of its environmental impact.
Advanced Observability: Key for Sustainable Decision-Making
Advanced observability of sustainability KPIs is crucial for understanding and mitigating the environmental impact of our actions. This involves meticulously tracking metrics such as energy consumption, carbon footprint, and resource utilization. By leveraging sophisticated sustainability metrics and monitoring systems, the industry can gain deeper insights into the ecological footprint of telecommunications infrastructure, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
Circular Economy: Creating Closed-Loop Systems for Environmental Sustainability
Circular economy principles are central to our approach to resource management, advocating for the reuse, recycling, and recovery of materials and components. By implementing measurable circular economy practices, we aim to create a closed-loop system where resources are conserved, and waste is minimized. This involves designing products and infrastructure for longevity and recyclability, ensuring they can be easily disassembled, repaired, and repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. Adopting circularity unlocks new opportunities for innovation and value creation while reducing the extraction of finite resources and mitigating negative environmental impacts.
Empowered Sustainable Choices: Enabled by Advanced Observability and Circular Economy
Embracing advanced observability and adopting circular supply chain strategies empower informed decision-making and sustainable choices. This leads to positive change at both individual and organizational levels. By enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals, we can foster a culture of environmental stewardship across the industry. Whether it’s choosing energy-efficient technologies during the standardization of 6G systems, selecting eco-friendly suppliers, or adopting sustainable business practices, each decision contributes to a collective effort toward a more sustainable future. Implementing these sustainability KPIs, alongside automation and network optimization tools powered by AI and machine learning, is expected to deliver unprecedented energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Conclusion: Toward a Sustainable 6G Era
The advanced observability, circular economy, and empowered choice collectively guide industry actions toward creating a sustainable 6G system. By embedding environmental sustainability as a core value and metric, we will lay the foundation for a 6G era that is not only technologically advanced but also environmentally sustainable.
As we embark on this journey toward sustainable 6G, let’s harness the power of technology to create a world that is not only connected but also sustainable, where progress is measured not only by technological prowess but by our ability to leave a positive impact on the planet. ATIS’ Next G Alliance Green G Working Group is committed to shaping a sustainable future, one innovation at a time.To learn more about the Green G Working Group’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability in the telecommunications industry, read our white papers available in the 6G Library and visit Next G Alliance Green G Working Group.
